Eco Cloud Knitting

Every season, we try out a few new yarns.  Some become old favorites like Blue Sky Worsted and other are more like summer flings, fun for the season but not a lasting affair.  I think I may have found another favorite for seasons to come... Cascade Eco Cloud.

When the first shipment of Eco Cloud arrived, we were busy making swatches for a baby blanket made with Blue Sky Cotton.  I think we caught the blanket fever and thought a swatch blanket knit with four colors of the Eco Cloud would be a lovely and distinctively mature option for a baby blanket for the store.  Maureen jumped at the opportunity to start knitting. 

Maureen gets to knit and I promised to sew all the swatches together.  We'll be all set for another chilly winter. 

Baby Blanket Pattern

You have no idea how many baby blankets we help knit here at the store.  I often scribble a pattern for blanket knitter.  This time, I took a picture of the finished project so we can now post a simple pattern but made with pretty yarn then transforms into a beautiful gift. 

Easy Baby Blanket


Suggested materials:

• Us 9 needles (24 to 32 inch circular)

• 800 yards worsted weight yarn. (suggested  yarns include Lorna's Laces Shepard Worsted or
Blue Sky Worsted Cotton)

• Darning needle

• Stitch markers (not necessary but useful for keeping pattern correct)

Gauge: 4 stitches equal 1 inch

Note: If you use stitch markers, place them after k4, and then after each ten stitches until 4 remain.

With US 9 needles, Cast on 128 stitches

Knit 6 rows

Next row k4 * k10, p10 repeat from * to last 4 stitches

Repeat last row 9 more times

Next row k4 * p10 , k10 repeat from * to last 4 stitches

Repeat last row 9 more times

Repeat last 20 rows until desired length (sample blanket measures 40" long)

Knit 6 row.

Bind off all stitches.

Weave in all ends and block lightly.

Pattern designed by Marie Connolly, Stitch DC

Published March 2011

Finished blanket knit by Irene Kim

Mystery Quilt Along POST #3

Stomach flu with the kids prevented me from posted on Friday so Wednesday is the new Friday.  Gotta figure out what the new wednesday is.  I grew up on Long Island and according to Carvel.  "Wednesday is Sunday so maybe another post on Sunday." 

This long post is for Knitters Today.  Crocheters and Quilters I'll have a big post for you on Friday so get as many square ready as possible. 

Knitters...  How are the squares coming along.  I have two strips that we can now knit.  This is entrelac so you need to follow each row.  It does work but it's magic as it does.  Trust me...

MAKE 2  (each will measure 3inches  by 37.5 inches long)

NOTE: Work base triangles, followed by left side triangle, tier one, right side triangle and tier two. Work tiers one and two until desired length; end with one more tier one section, followed by the final tier triangles.

Base Triangles:
CO 10.
*Row 1: (RS) k1, turn
Row 2: and all WS rows: purl all sts in that section
Row 3: sl 1, k1, turn
Row 5: sl 1, k2, turn
Row 7: sl 1, k3, turn
Row 9: sl 1, k4, Do not turn.*
Repeat from * to * to end of row, turn.

Left side triangle
Row 1: (WS) k1, turn
Row 2: kfb, turn
Row 3: k1, p2tog, turn
Row 4: k1, m1, k1, turn
Row 5: k1, p1, p2tog, turn
Row 6 and all RS rows: knit to last st, m1, k1
Row 7: k1 p2, p2tog, turn
Row 9: k1, p3, p2tog, do not turn, work tier one:

Tier one
Row 1: (WS), With wrong side facing, pick up and
purl 5 sts along selvedge edge of next triangle. Sl last st
picked up onto left needle and p2tog, turn.
Row 2: k5 , turn
Row 3: sl 1, P3, p2tog, turn
repeat last two rows 4 times (5 stitches).


Right side triangle

Row 1: (WS) Pick up and purl 5 sts along selvedge of next triangle or square, turn
Row 2 and all RS rows: knit to end of sts in this section, turn.
Row 3: sl 1, p to last two stitches, k2tog, turn
Repeat last two rows until only 2 sts remain.
On next odd row: k2tog
The remaining stitch will be counted as the first stitch picked up for the first square in the next tier.
Turn and transfer this stitch to the right needle.

Tier two
Row 1: (RS) With right side facing, pick up and knit 5 sts along selvedge of next square or triangle. For the first square only, the remaining stitch from the last tier counts as 1 picked up stitch. Sl last stitch picked up to left needle and ssk, turn.
Row 2: p5, turn
Row 3: sl 1, k3, ssk, turn
Repeat the last 2 rows until all 5 sts remain.
Do not turn.
Repeat another tier two triangle.

Then continue by working [Left triangle, tier one, right side triangle and tier two] until 37 inches then go to Final Tier Triangles.

Final Tier Triangles
Row 1: (RS) With RS facing, pick up and knit 5sts along selvedge of next square or triangle. For the first triangle only, the st remaining counts as the first picked up st. Sl last st picked up to left needle and ssk, turn.
Row 2 and all WS rows: purl to the end of sts in the section. Turn.
Row 3: k2tog, k3, ssk, turn
Row 5: k2tog, k2, ssk, turn
Row 7: k2tog, k1, ssk, turn
Row 8: k2tog, ssk, turn
Row 9: sl 1, ssk, psso, do not turn. The rem st will count as first st picked up for next triangles. When all triangles have been worked, fasten off last st.

Block


Abbreviations:

K: Knit

Kf&b: Knit the next stitch and leave on left hand needle; knit the stitch again thru the back loop.

K2tog: Knit next two stitches together

M1: Make 1 stitch – With left hand needle, pick up bar from between the last worked stitch and next unworked stitch. Place Left hand needle in from front to back; knit that loop thru the back loop.

P: Purl

P2tog: Purl next two stitches together

RS: Right Side

Sl: Slip

SSK: Slip next two stitches individually from left needle to right needle; slip left needle into the front of the stitches; k2tog thru the back loop.

WS: Wrong Side

Turn: Stop where you are and flip work over (as if you’ve finished the row) and work the wrong side as told.

March 2009 Blanket Class Pattern

HOLLY BERRIES

Materials:
· 200 yards of worsted weight yarn (or 100 yards of Bulky yarn)
· Needles appropriate for your yarn (i.e. US 8 for worsted; US 15 for bulky)
· Darning needle (to weave in ends)
· Cable needle

Blue Sky Bulky is knit in this swatch.

(14 stitches plus 2)
Row 1 (RS): P1, *p5, RT, K1, p3, CFP2, MB, repeat from * to last stitch, p1
Row 2 (WS):K1, *k1, p1, k4, p3, k5, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Row 3: p1, *p4, CBP2, k2, p3, MB, CBF2 repeat from * to last stitch, p1
Row 4: K1, *p1, k5, p2, k1, p1, k4, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Row 5: P1, *p2, MB, CBP2, P1, K2, P6, repeat from * to last stitch, p1
Row 6: K1, *K6, P2, k2, p1, k3, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Row 7: P1, *p2, CBP2, MB, P1, K2, P6 repeat from * to last stitch, p1
Row 8: K1, *k6, p2, k3, p1, k2, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Row 9: P1, *MB, CBP2, p3, k1, CF2, p5 repeat from * to last stitch, p1
Row 10: K1, *k5, P3, k4, p1, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Row 11: P1, *CBP2, MB, P3, k2, CFP2, p4 repeat from * to last stitch, p1
Row 12: K1, *k4, p1, k1, p2, k5, p1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Row 13: P1, *MB, p5, k2, p1, CFP2, MB, p2 repeat from * to last stitch, p1
Row 14: K1, *K3, p1, k2, p2, k6, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Row 15: P1, *p6, k2, p1, MB, CFP2, p2 repeat from * to last stitch, p1
Row 16: K1, *k2, p1, k3, p2, k6, repeat from * to last stitch, k1

Cast on 30 stitches and work 16 rows. Measure for gauge to determine total stitches for your swatch. Swatches should measure 12” by 12”

ABBREVIATIONS:RT (Right Twist): Knit second stitch on left hand needle and leave on needle; then knit first stitch and pull both come off left hand needle
CFP2: (cable front with a purl stitch) Slip 1 stitch onto cable needle and hold in FRONT, p1 from left hand needle then k1 from cable needle.
CBP2: (cable front with a purl stitch) Slip 1 stitch onto cable needle and hold in BACK, p1 from left hand needle then k1 from cable needle.
CF2: Slip 1 stitch onto cable needle and hold in FRONT, K1 from left hand needle then k1 from cable needle.
MB: make bobble (k1, p1, k1, p1,k1) in stitch; turn and knit 5; turn and pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th stitches one at a time over 1st stitch, then purl remaining stitch.

February Blanket Square

EYELET HEARTS
(multiple of 12 sts plus 3)

Row 1 (RS) K2, *yo, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, SKP, yo, k1; rep from *, end k1.

Row 2 and all WS rows Purl.

Row 3 K2, *k1, yo, k4tog, yo, k3, yo, SK4P, yo, k2; rep from *, end last k1.

Row 5 K2, *k1, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, SKP, k2; rep from *, end k1.

Row 7 K2, *k2tog, yo, k7, yo, SKP, k1; rep from *, end k1.

Row 9 K1, k2tog, *yo, k9, yo, sl 1-k2tog-psso; rep from *, end rep SKP, k1.

Row 10 Purl.

Rep rows 1-10.

For test swatch, cast on 27 stitches and work 10 rows.

Measure swatch for gauge and then cast on for your blanket square.

Each finished square should measure 12" x 12"

Abbreviations:
YO: yarn over
K2tog: Knit next two stitches together – Decrease 1
K4tog: knit next four stitches together
SK4P Sl next 4 sts knitwise, one at a time, insert LH needle into fronts of these sts and k them tog.

pattern credit: Vogueknitting.com

Next class:
MARCH 8 / 2-4 pm
APRIL 12/ 2-4 pm

January 2009 Blanket Class Square

Lattice Lace
(Multiple of 8 stitches plus 3)
Row 1: (RS): k1, *k2tog, k1, yo, k1, slip 1, k1, psso, k2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 2 and all WS rows: PURL
Row 3: *k2tog, k1, [yo, k1]twice, slip 1, k1, psso; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 5: k2, *yo, k3, yo, k1, slip 1, k1, psso, k1; repeat from * to last stitch K1.
Row 7: k4, *k2tog, k1, yo, k1, slip 1 k1 psso, k2 repeat from * to last 7 stitches, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, slip 1 , k1, psso, k1.
Row 9: K3, *k2tog, k1, [yo, k1]twice, slip 1, k1, psso, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 11: k2, *k2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1 repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Row 12: purl
Repeat rows 1-12
For test swatch, cast on 19 stitches and work 12 rows. Measure swatch for gauge and then cast on for your blanket square.
NOTES:
 stitch count changes on some rows. Count stitches only on rows 5, 6, 11, and 12.
 Blue Sky Bulky was used in the photo. I cast on 19 stitches on US 11 needles for my square to make Oonagh’s Blanket.
Abbreviations:
YO: yarn over
K2tog: Knit next two stitches together – Decrease 1
Psso: Pass slipped stitch over last knit stitch. – Decrease 1
Next class: FEBRUARY 8 / 2-4 pm

2009 Blanket Class

Last year, I started the Stitch DC Blanket Club. Each month, we got together to knit a new square, and learn a new skill. So let's do it again in 2009. You can continue your blanket from last year or start new. The class is free*.

I've been busy on my squares from 2008 and getting a jump on 2009. Using my favorite patterns from 2008 and testing out a few new ones for 2009, I created Oonagh's Blanket. I still have a few ends to weave in.

The best part of the class is that you can knit in whatever gauge and yarn and create something beautiful. I knit this blanket in Blue Sky Bulky and each swatch is no bigger than 20 stitches across!

Join us on Sunday 1/11/09 from 2-4 pm at Capitol Hill for January's installment of the Stitch DC Blanket Class.



*Classes given at Stitch DC are designed for our materials and supplies. We thank you for supporting our store. Free classes are held for the enjoyment of students who work with yarn purchased from the store.